Author: Rebekah Coleman (Page 6 of 6)

Read “How to Read Like a Writer” by Mike Bunn. In this article, Bunn says that his students suggest that the advice they would give to future students is that they  “write yourself notes and summaries both during and after reading.” So I’d like you to do that. Please take out a piece of paper and a pen (or pencil) and have it beside you as you read.  Just write down whatever stands out to you from the text– jot down a few key words.  Doodle! Write a summary. Write a question. There are no right or wrong answers here. Then write a response to the following questions! 

• • What did you think of the piece? Did you like it? Or not? Why? Explain! (Don’t worry my feelings won’t be hurt! Be honest!)
  • Let’s think about the “context” of this text. What is the author (Mike Bunn’s) purpose in writing this piece? Who is his intended audience?
  • What is the genre of this text? It’s okay if you don’t know! Just give it a shot! (essay, article, poem, etc.)
  • What did you notice about HOW this text was written? Choose one observation!
  • In his article, Mike Bunn writes “You are already an author.” He’s talking to you.  What do you think he means by this? What are some of the things you write already?  (Hint: “Nothing” is not an acceptable answer.) Think of all of the ways you already use words in your everyday life.  That’s authorship! How will that existing expertise help you in your college reading and writing career?
  • Was there anything you noticed in Bunn’s article that you would like to try to do in your own writing? What, in particular? Please be specific!
  • Can you explain what you think the author means when he says, “When you read like a writer, you are trying to figure out how the text you are reading was constructed so that you learn how to ‘build’ one for yourself” (74). Be specific. Share a personal example, if possible.

Introductory writing assignment. Choose 1 (or 2) of the following prompts to write a response to! Write at least 150-200 words! 

• • What are your favorite hobbies, activities or things to do? Why? How often do you do them?
  • Describe a book or a person or a movie or a game that has had a profound influence in your life. Why? Explain! 
  • What’s a current issue in the news/on social media that you have strong opinions about?
  • Describe a goal you have for your future—what is your plan to achieve it?
  • Describe a life event from which you learned a lesson that changed you forever
  • What are you hoping to achieve as a result of taking this writing class?